By Dennis Udoma

UYO—NINE more corpses were recovered, yesterday, from the weekend clash between Oku-Iboku community of Akwa Ibom State and Ikot-Offiong community of Cross River State on Saturday.

No fewer than 20 persons were reportedly killed in Oku-Iboku, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday by youths said to be from Ikot-Offiong community in Cross River State, in an apparent reprisal attack.

Vanguard gathered that the youths used machine guns mounted on their speed boats, rifles and hand grenades in the attack.

Recall that in February, the people of Oku-Iboku were said to have attacked Ikot-Offing in Odukpani Local Government Area in Cross River State, killing scores.

A community source said the age-long crisis between both communities is due to the rich fish and other marine resources in the area.

The source added that the people of Ikot-Offiong, who migrated from Akpabuyo in Cross River State, started expanding, thereby sparking off the frequent friction.

Indigene

An indigene of the area, Dr. Demson Ekong, told newsmen in Uyo that some of those killed during the attack by Ikot-Offiong youths were women and children, who were returning from farms and the river.

He said nine corpses of fishermen were recovered on Saturday, adding that more corpses were still being recovered as at yesterday afternoon.

Survivor speaks

A survivor, Mr. Joe Michael, told newsmen that they were diving for oysters, when armed youths from Ikot-Offiong in Cross River State attacked them.

Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom Police Command has confirmed the incident to Vanguard but could not disclose the casualty figures.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chukwu Ikechukwu, said: “The police is not aware of the casualty figure, but we are investigating the incident.”